Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
[Moderated by Matt Jones, Drew Franklin and Tyler Thompson]
It’s a bit early to start prognosticating who will win next year’s title and possibly dethrone our Kentucky boys as reigning champs, but some folks are already on top of their game. Las Vegas books have already set some team odds to win the 2013 NCAA title. And according to these odds, the 2013 Wildcats have a pretty good chance of making sure the title stays right where in belongs — in Lexington. Let’s take a look at some of the odds via one on-line Vegas book (h/t here):
- Indiana — 7/1
- Louisville — 8/1
- Kentucky — 10/1
- Duke, North Carolina, UCLA, and Florida — 15/1
Personally, I really, really like Kentucky’s chances. Call me biased, but the level of talent coming is strong enough to make up for lack of upperclassmen experience (yet again). Wiltjer will be able to put up points in a crafty fashion and Ryan Harrow will be a step-ahead of any other point guard making a debut for his team. Throw in Noel’s raw athletic ability and defensive presence, the strong and balanced scoring of Alex Poythress, the overall fantastic game of Archie Goodwin, and the possibly undervalued Willie Cauley-Stein, and there’s a lot to be excited about. I’d throw down some Monopoly cash on the Cats at 10/1, but I’d be a lot more generous with my money if it bounced up to 15/1 or 20/1.
As far as Louisville and Indiana are concerned – I get it. They do have solid teams coming that are combined with great new talent. It should be interesting to see how the ‘teams’ develop into a cohesive group and what htey are capable of, but I think the parity of next season could rival that of the 2010-2011 UK season, which ended in a Final Four for Kentucky that they very easily could have come out of as champions.
The rest of the teams are a lot of ‘ehhhh’. I don’t see UCLA being great (Kyle Anderson’s slow-roll type game will be neutralized by great defenders; Shabazz will eat up shot attempts and make it hard to beat good defensive teams who make you value each possession). One writer mentioned Tennessee as a value bet at 50/1. This picture makes you think different. Tobias Harris looks like a Koopa Troopa off the live-action Super Mario Bros. movie.
Let’s all buy our tickets to the 2013 Final Four at the Georgia Dome in ATL early, because it’s happening. Right?
(obligatory disclaimer: Kentucky Sports Radio does not support gambling, unless we’re taking bets on how long Pete Thamel lasts at NYT).
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June 10th, 2012 at 7:11 pm
Doesn’t look good when you criticize a kid (Shabazz) that we wanted at UK. Why did we want him them?
June 10th, 2012 at 7:50 pm
UL has the same team, minus its leading scorer and another one of their top scorers. They have a WEAK recruiting class coming in. And they are the same team that lost 7 of 9 games last year. Look at the facts, and not base it on a lucky run to the FF, where they should not have been.
June 10th, 2012 at 7:59 pm
No you don’t “get it” if you see IU and U of L as title contenders. Don’t say you do.
June 10th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Last season IU went 15-9 in its final 24 games, and 12-8 in its last 20 games. IU beat lowly VCU by a measly two points in the second round, and without the refs help they would have lost. IU lost in the second round of the Big-10 tourney. Also, IU was unable to beat one single ranked team on the road last year; hardly the stuff of legends. No, IU should be a top 10-15 type team, but there is no way that they will be one of the four or five best teams in the nation.
June 10th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
Don’t forget that we have a senior transfer coming in as well…
June 10th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
What a homer. If you think the Cats can compete for a championship you’ve been drinking the Big Blue cool aide too long. I love the Cats as much as anyone but we have never, never, lost this much talent in one year. Also, if you don’t think Indiana will compete for the championship you either just hate IU or know nothing about basketball. Indiana returns everyone from a very good team and have a bunch of talent coming in. They also have one of the top coaches in the country.
June 10th, 2012 at 8:55 pm
#6. If u look at what IU did last year out of Bloomington then maybe you will understand why people think they are being over hyped. Plus as long as we keep getting good talent and we have Coach Cal then we will have a chance to win a title every year.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:00 pm
Oh and you sir are the one who doesn’t know anything about basketball because we lost that much talent back in 2009-2010. I think you been drinking on that Hoosier kool-aid.
June 10th, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Tennessee might be a good long shot bet, if Stokes is more consistent this year. I thought he showed moments of being really, really good last year.
June 11th, 2012 at 12:24 am
I’m lowering my expectations for next year. A little breather before we win again in 2013. I’m cool with that.
June 11th, 2012 at 2:13 am
I’d love to be taking these bets in Indiana.
Ha! The only thing those sour pussies will win is another lump on their ego courtesy of Homie The Clown.
June 11th, 2012 at 7:21 am
#6, what I think is that IU finished the season at 12-8 and they never beat a ranked team on the road. I also know that Cal is extremely close to having won three straight NT’s. Only a fool would count a team with this much talent out. Talent wins titles. And, this team will have five 5star and numerous 4star players. UK has as good a chance as anyone.
June 11th, 2012 at 10:19 am
If Indiana wins the national championship, Ill poop in my pants. And eat it
June 11th, 2012 at 10:19 am
and #9.. You’re a tard
June 11th, 2012 at 1:12 pm
Maybe IU is overrated a little, but who brings back more? We went 27-9, beat a damn near untouchable UK team and gave them a good shot in the tourney. That entire team is back, plus a real respectable recruiting class that will solve a lot of the problems we did have. And you can say VCU was weak, but they came off a Final 4 appearance and scared a lot of people. Theyd have beat a lot of teams in that second round and were a trendy upset pick. Also, IU had a winning road record overall and beat plenty of tourney teams on the road or neutral like Notre Dame, NC St., and Purdue. It was a very respectable season, youve got elite players like Cody Zeller back. Say what you will, but its a recipe for a frontrunner, at least in the preseason. I know no one wants to hear it, but IU is as good a contender as any to sit on the throne that UK is giving up.